Would you live with 100 cockroaches for Rs. 1.5 lakh?
What's the story
The Pest Informer, an American pest control company, has shared a weird offer on its website. It wants to release American cockroaches into the houses of people in return for a handsome monetary benefit. The company wants a few volunteers to let it release roaches in their house in exchange for around Rs. 1.5 lakh for about a month.
Testing
Why such a strange offer?
The company wants to test out a technique of pest control to measure the effectiveness of its treatment. "As technology advances, we're always looking for the newest and greatest ways to get rid of pests (cockroaches specifically)," said The Pest Informer in a news release. "In this study, we're willing to pay homeowners $2,000 for us to release American cockroaches into your home."
Rules
The offer comes with a set of conditions
This weird offer comes with its own set of rules the homeowners must follow. As per the company's website, written approval of the homeowner—who should be at least 21 years of age—is mandatory. The house must be in the continental US. During the trial period, homeowners cannot use other pest control techniques. The company will use traditional treatments if its new technique doesn't work.
Problem
What's the big deal with American cockroaches?
American cockroaches have hard shells and reproduce very fast, which is why they are difficult to get rid of. According to a New York-based pest management company, one female American cockroach can produce two egg cases a week, where each case contains about 16 eggs. The eggs hatch between 24 to 38 days. If this experiment succeeds, it'll be a breakthrough in pest control.
Watch out!
Other house pests you need to beware of
Flies like fruit flies or house flies that are commonly found in homes are the carriers of numerous diseases. Termites are notoriously known for the ability to ruin wooden frames and furniture in houses. Bed bugs are dangerous parasites that feed on human blood. They live not only in mattresses but also in other cracks across the house. They also breed rapidly.